Students should take the Foundation Courses at the beginning of their studies and must complete these courses before taking the 700 Level Advanced Courses. Advanced courses are taken as the last series of courses. Refer to course descriptions for specific course prerequisites.

Foundation Courses

ODL 600 Adult Learning: Theory and Application (TOD 4115) - 3 credits

Course introduces students to adult education theory that focuses on how adults learn, application of adult education theory, skills required in the delivery of adult learning programs and an introduction to group process. Students have an opportunity to develop a professional learning theory and model. Students also discover their learning style and how style impacts their ability to use their theory and model. Use of feedback as a tool for learning allows students to realize how to improve their facilitation approach. ALT Concentration Requirement.

ODL 605 Performance Consulting (TOD 4135) - 3 credits

Course presents to the Organization Development and Leadership professional the practical tools necessary to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of learning and change programs. A specific technology is presented in a step-by-step approach, which links the collaborative consulting process with performance assessment. The course focuses on increasing students' ability to communicate and work with leaders in their organizations. ALT and OPD Concentration Requirement. ODL Concentration elective option.

ODL 610 Adult Learning Methods (TOD 4125) - 3 credits

Major delivery methods and techniques that foster adult learning are discussed and demonstrated. Key elements are discussed that allow students to effectively facilitate adult learning methods that enhance individual and group learning. Emphasis is placed on student participation that fosters experiential learning. Impact of communication style on delivery effectiveness is also discussed. Some methods include case studies, role-plays, small groups, games, simulations, questioning techniques and icebreakers. ALT Concentration Requirement. Prerequisite: ODL 600.

ODL 615 Learning Design and Implementation (TOD 4145) - 3 credits

Major steps in creating and designing adult education learning programs are discussed. Students develop a program that demonstrates their understanding of the key components of instructional design. Specific topics include collaborative relationships with customers/management, needs assessment, analyzing data, writing learning objectives, cost effectiveness of programs, selecting and sequencing content, developing learning materials and constructing evaluative instruments.

ODL 620 Psychological Assessments (ORG 7005) - 3 Credits

The psychological theories and practices underlying various instruments used in assessing individual and group behavior in organizations will be examined. Issues and topics will include employee selection, performance, ability, attitude and development. Participants learn how to evaluate measures to answer organizational issues. Permission of Instructor is required.

ODL 625 Psychology of Executive Coaching (ORG 7015) - 3 credits

Executive Coaching has become a staple within many organizations. Executive Coaching is essentially a purposeful, relational intervention based in psychosocial concepts that leads to new and more complex level of functioning in one party. This course primarily assists the student in further development of their coaching skills and models while also examining coaching models, underlying constructs, skills and relevant coaching research. Required 625 or 680 OPD.

ODL 630 Leadership and Team Development (ORG 7035)- 3 Credits

Course focuses on theories and practices required in leading and developing teams. Issues of leadership behavior, interpersonal relations, group roles and stages of development are examined in an experiential laboratory. May be taken as an elective for the ALT or ODL Concentration.

This foundation course provides the conceptual framework for all the other courses in the concentration. Course focuses in understanding the critical leadership characteristics and competencies required for guiding organizations through strategic and operational change initiatives. Relationship between cultural issues and successful change implementation is explored. Students learn how to close the gap between knowing and doing through specific teaching and learning strategies. ODL Concentration requirement.

ODL 660 Strategic Leadership (TOD 4155) - 3 Credits

Course emphasizes the integration of leadership thinking and behavior with strategic planning process. Students have an opportunity to review work projects and understand how internal as well as external communications impacts their ability to implement projects as they were planned. Students attend a skill weekend were they reflect on the assumptions underlying their leadership actions. Specific strategies are considered and students begin to consider new ways of looking at leadership and their behavior in order to successfully implement strategies. ODL Concentration requirement.

ODL 665 Leading Teams (TOD 5255) - 3 Credits

Course focuses on working within groups to explain the major concepts in group dynamics and learning skills / techniques to work more effectively with groups. Areas of discussion include advantages and disadvantages of problem solving in groups, identifying constructive and destructive group behavior, mechanics of participation, function of group norms in group process, influence and power in groups, stages of group maturity and roles taken by group members. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 668 Social Media and Learning (NEW COURSE) - 3 credits

This new course will examine the relationship between learning and social media. Current trends and use of social media in training, education, marketing, product development, customer service, and networking are some of the topics that will be covered. Students will discuss and evaluate uses of social media in informal (social networking) and formal (knowledge management) settings. Students will critique their own organization’s culture and values around learning and social media and the challenges and opportunities they pose.

Course presents an overview of the fundamental competencies of facilitative leadership and their relationship to guiding organizational change. Practical skills and approaches are studied such as individual behavior change techniques and strategies, influence methods in dealing with people and teaching approaches. Integrated approach is emphasized that connects the critical leadership characteristics with facilitative leadership competencies. ODL Concentration requirement.

ODL 680 Coaching and Mentoring Skills (TOD 5245) - 3 Credits

Interactive course focuses on increasing the student’s ability to communicate and influence leaders, peers, participants and clients. Specific topic areas include giving and receiving feedback, identifying and understanding communication style preferences, learning how to listen for the “real issues,” coaching and influencing skills and corporate mentoring programs. Required 625 or 680 OPD. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 695 Organizational Change: A Gestalt Approach*

This course will focus on the Gestalt Model to organizational change consulting. Students will learn a powerful new perspective that recognizes behavior and interactions of systems, rather than individuals, creating new and dynamic possibilities for intervention. A theoretical and practical framework will be taught for high-impact consulting in organizations, exploring critical dilemmas and offering opportunities to practice new skills. This course will benefit students who wish to understand and develop process consultation skills while learning a new framework for managing change. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.*Approved by the International Coach Federation.

Elective Courses

ODL 618 eLearning Design and Implementation (3 credits)

Technological innovations are increasingly being used in training and development programs. Through the lens of adult learning theory, students will assess online learning needs, develop online modules, create online communities of learning and become familiar with the language and best practices associated with eLearniing program development. (Pre-requisite: ODL 600 or permission from Director)

ODL 640 Training and Organization Development in Modern Organizations - (3 credits)

An overview course that focuses on the emerging trends and implications for talent management organization development, and training within organizations, in consulting, and in organizational change. Alignment between individual's goals and those of organizations, positioning training, and positioning yourself for a leadership position are topics that could be covered. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 642 Facilitating Adult Learning (TOD 5265) - 3 credits

Adult learning, as it relates to training/organization development, involves a combination of facilitation and presentation skills. Course focuses on strategies that increase students' ability to interact with individuals and groups in these areas. Impromptu and planned presentations are audio taped and videotaped for students to receive constructive feedback. Facilitation techniques include managing question-and-answer sessions, dealing with resistive participants, and getting stalled sessions/groups going. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

The success of an organization greatly depends on how well individuals work with people. Course examines how training fits within an organization, what competencies are critical, and best to effect long-term learning and behavioral change. Course focuses on creating a training strategy by using needs assessment methods and consulting with organizational leaders. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 645 Leadership Principles (HED 4825) - 3 Credits

Course introduces the student to the concept of leadership and what behaviors are necessary to satisfy the needs and roles of being a leader. Topics for discussion include management styles, strategic planning process and decision making / problem solving theory. Dealing with change, motivation, coaching, performance appraisals and use of power/ control are also examined in an experiential learning environment. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

Course provides students with a basic understanding of the career development field. A general overview of theories, practice and research will be conducted. In addition, topics such as assessment, gender, choice, interventions and career management are discussed. Permission of Instructor is required. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

In the past organizations have often relied on the traditional problem solving approach, finding what is wrong and forging solutions to fix the problems. Appreciative Inquiry focuses on already achieved successes in order to gain insights on how to further expand these successes. This course includes the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry (Ai), provides a brief survey of other positive whole systems change processes, and gives an overview of positive, appreciative, strengths-based approaches to leadership. It provides students with the practical and theoretical building blocks towards positive change in individuals and complex organizational systems. Key elements include understanding the art of the unconditional positive question, conducting Ai interviews, and the change cycle of the Ai model. Students will engage in the planning, implementation and facilitation of an Ai Summit that will serve as the course’s capstone experience. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 648 Conflict and Negotiation (TOD 5205) - 3 Credits

The course involves students in a process that includes research, conflict analysis and communication. Modeled in part upon the Harvard Negotiation Project’s Getting to Yes methodology, the course also involves newly emerging practices that challenge the notion of argument and encourages exchange between disputing parties. The focus of the course is to help students hear and understand one another’s stories who are embroiled in a conflict. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 675 Implementing Change (TOD 5295) - 3 Credits

Course aids students in designing and effectively implementing change programs and projects while achieving and sustaining performance. Students have the opportunity to create change models and processes from both experience and research. Major aspect of the course is to understand resistance and learn techniques to overcome resistance to change. Change models and processes focus on the corporate, group and individual level. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 685 Seminar in Global Issues - 3 credits

Issues relating the impact of globalization of on organizational systems, culture and leadership and interpersonal relationships will be explored. Some of the issues that will be explored will include cross-cultural communication, working in the multigenerational workplace and the impact of social media in the globalized work world. Students will gain a more thorough understanding of how to improve their own global leadership competencies. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

ODL 688 Social Media and Learning - 3 credits

The course will examine the relationship between learning and social media. Current trends and use of social media in training, education, marketing, product development, data collection, customer service, and networking are some of the topics that will be covered. Students will discuss and evaluate uses of social media in informal social networking and formal knowledge management learning settings. Students will critique their own organization’s culture and values around learning and social media and the challenges and opportunities they pose

Critical thinking – reflecting on the assumptions underlying our actions and considering new ways of looking at the world and living in it – is an essential skill for adults in complex times. Critical thinkers do not passively accept what they read; rather reflect to see new alternatives. Course is a comprehensive guide for helping adults learns how to make worthwhile contributions at work and influence those around them. Students have an opportunity to identify and overcome personal and organizational barriers. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

EDU 655 Interpersonal Relations (EDU 4315) - 3 Credits

A study of the dynamics of interpersonal, intragroup, and intergroup relations. Emphasis will be placed on the teaching/ learning process as well as the counselor/ client relationship. A variety of instructional approaches, including lectures, discussions, and group activities will be utilized to develop interpersonal skills. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

HED 576 Stress and Crisis Management (HED 4855) - 3 Credits

Study of health problems related to stress and exploration of methods to reduce the impact of stressors to improve bio-psychosocial health. Demonstrates how to identify, isolate, and mange a crisis and how to foresee future crisis, as well as how to develop contingency plans. Physiology of stress, relaxation, biofeedback, fear control, and cognitive reacting are skills studied in relation to stress management. May be taken as an elective for the ALT, OPD or ODL Concentration.

Course presents an overview of the fundamental components of organization development. Case studies are discussed and analyzed to demonstrate the fundamental components of OD. Practical skills and approaches are studied, such as change techniques and strategies, influence methods in dealing with leaders and consulting / learning models. Focus of course helps students implement successful learning or change programs in their organization. Topics of discussion include developing sponsorship, action research methods, survey feedback approaches and dealing with conflict. MODL Students Only. Prerequisite: ODL 605/Completion of 4 Foundation Courses.

Students have an opportunity to complete a project demonstrating action research methodology. Course centers on understanding how to use interventions and what the impact interventions can have within an organizational setting. Students have an opportunity to design and facilitate interventions both in class and in their organization to assure the successful implementation of change and/or individual learning takes place within their project. Prerequisite: ODL 700.

ODL 780 Research Design and Evaluation (TOD 6325) - 3 Credits

Course helps student’s design and evaluate research in their respective organization or field of study. Methods are presented for application to work situations. Topics include: the similarities and differences between theoretical and applied research, use of data-gathering techniques, writing of research reports and evaluation methods for change, learning and research projects.

ODL 785 Advanced Seminar (TOD 6335) - 3 Credits

A capstone course and the last course taken in the Training and Organizational Development Graduate Program. Course provides students the opportunity to complete a professional paper on a topic / issue of their choice utilizing research methods and statistics. Students also complete an independent/group project leading to the design and facilitation of a learning or change project. Prerequisite: ODL 780.